Golf swing training aid

ABSTRACT

A golf swing training aid is configured to be worn by a player during practice swings or while playing the game of golf. The golf swing training aid includes a forearm plate strapped to the forearm, a thumb plate is strapped to the thumb, and a pivot that connects the thumb plate to the forearm plate. When donned, the pivot is positioned on the radial area of the wrist so that the hand is substantially restricted to extension and flexion movement relative to the forearm throughout the swing. The golf swing training aid automatically positions the player&#39;s hands in the correct position and provides muscle memory that instills proper positioning and movement of the arms and hands even when removed for actual game play.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the priority date of provisional application no.61/369,506 filed on Jul. 30, 2010, entitled “Golf Swing Training Aid”.

BACKGROUND

In the game of golf, as in other ball-striking sports, there are manyfactors involved with the successful hitting of the ball in the shortduration of time before, during, and following the hit. The beginner andintermediate golfer may have difficulty controlling all of these factorssimultaneously within these few short seconds. A common mistake forthese golfers is to permit ulnar deviation and radial deviation of thehand relative to the wrist, as is illustrated in FIG. 4B. A furthermistake may involve the lifting of the thumb in radial abduction, as isshown in FIG. 4A. A combination of both of these erroneous motions isalso likely.

In training of a golfer, it is desirous to limit these small, hard tocontrol, but significant motions that adversely affect the trajectory ofthe ball. This may be achieved by limiting the motions of the player,such that he or she may focus on the primary mechanics of body positionand the general swing. But this limiting device should not interferewith the normal swing and general play. It should also be comfortable towear, easy to don, and fit players of various sizes. In using thelimiting device, the beginner should develop a feel for the correct golfswing to develop a degree of muscle memory that will be recalled whenthe device is not utilized.

SUMMARY

The present golf swing training aid provides unique and significantadvantages over the prior art by restricting unwanted movement andpermitting desired movement to provide the player with muscle memory andinstill the proper positioning and movement. The present golf trainingaid is donned or worn by a player during practice swings of a club orclub training device or while playing the game of golf. A first portionor first rigid plate is secured to the forearm; and a second portion orsecond rigid plate is secured to the hand. A pivot connects the firstportion to the second portion so that the second portion may pivotrelative to the first portion. When the golf training aid is worn by theplayer, the pivot is positioned substantially on the radial area of thewrist so that the hand is substantially restricted to extension andflexion movement relative to the forearm.

Optionally, the second portion may specifically be laid atop the dorsalsurface of the thumb and secured about the thumb by an elastic strap. Inthis way the lifting of the thumb in radial abduction is substantiallyprevented. Further optionally, a first major surface of the firstportion can be laid on top of a second major surface of the secondportion at the radial area of the wrist. Since the pivot holds the twomajor surfaces together or on close proximity, substantial rotation ofthe first and second portions outside of the axis of the pivot isprevented. Also optionally, the aperture through which the pivotconnects the first portion to the second portion may be a slottedaperture to permit sliding and rotation of the second portion relativeto the first portion.

Further, a method of golf swing training is provided utilizing thepresent golf training aid. The present golf training aid is donned uponthe arm and hand of a player. Then, the present golf training aid ispositioned such that the pivot is substantially within the radial areaof the wrist. In this way, the hand is substantially restricted toextension and flexion movement relative to the forearm. An optional stepmay include gripping the handle of a club with the training aid donnedon the bottom hand, which is positioned closest to a head of the club orthe end opposite the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a golftraining aid;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the golf training aid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top planar view of the golf training aid of FIG. 1, showingthe golf training aid donned on a player's hand and forearm with properpivot placement;

FIG. 4A-B are illustrations of hand anatomy and movement that arecontrolled by golf training aid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of hand anatomy and movement that arecontrolled by golf training aid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the golf training aid of FIG. 1, worn ona player's hand holding a club at the top of the back swing, showingextension of the wrist;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the golf training aid as shown in FIG.6, worn on a player's hand holding a club at the bottom of the swing atthe point of contact with the ball, showing neither extension norflexion of the wrist;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the golf training aid as shown in FIG.6, worn on a player's hand holding a club in the follow throughposition, showing flexion of the wrist; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the golf training aid of FIG.1.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS of FIRST-PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

-   golf training aid 20-   forearm plate 22-   thumb plate 24-   hinge or pivot 26-   adjustable strap 28, 30-   thumb strap 32-   pad 34, 36-   aperture 38-   pin 40-   thumb 42-   forearm 44-   border 46-   wrist 48-   club 50-   handle 52-   right hand 54-   left hand 56-   player 58-   hook and loop fastener 60-   hand 62-   eyelet 64, 66-   natural pivot 68-   radial area 70-   thumb dorsal area 72-   bottom hand 74-   first major surface 76-   second major surface 78-   forearm 80

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of the golf swing trainingaid 20 presented herein, includes a first portion or forearm plate 22with a second portion or thumb plate 24 connected to the forearm plate22 through pivot 26. A set of adjustable straps 28 and 30 are providedwith mating hook and loop fastening surfaces 60 that permit the straps28 and 30 to be threaded through respective eyelets 64 and 66, foldedback, and fastened. The straps 28 and 30 are attached to the forearmplate 22, which may be achieved by a sewing process, snaps, glue, or anyother appropriate attachment means.

The forearm plate 22 is preferably curved along one axis to conform tothe general contour of an arm. The radius of the curvature may bearranged to encourage placement of the forearm plate over the radialportion of the forearm. The thumb plate 24 may be contoured, althoughperhaps to a lesser extend or not at all. Adhered to the concave orinner surfaces of the forearm plate 22 and thumb plate 24 is a pad 34 toprovide a degree of cushioning for the player 58. This pad 22 may bemade of neoprene rubber or other appropriate cushion material. The thumbplate 24 includes an elastic thumb strap 32, or other appropriatestrapping means, looped though two parallel slots formed at the distalend.

Looking more closely at the hinge 26, a pin 40 with an enlarged head ismounted on the forearm plate 22 such that the pin 40 extends normallyfrom a first major surface 76 of the forearm plate 22. Between theenlarged head of the pin 40 and the major face 76 of the forearm plate22 is provided a clearance to receive the thumb plate 24 through theaperture 38, such that a major face of the thumb plate 24 is laid atop amajor face of the forearm plate 22 with the head of the pin 40preventing their separation, but allowing the pivoting of the thumbplate 24 relative to the forearm plate 22. An alternate arrangement ofthe pivot 26 may include a pin 40 with an enlarged head at each end,forming a rivet-like fastener through both plates 22 and 24.

The pin 40 forms an axis, about which rotation is restricted between theforearm plate 22 and thumb plate 24. Rotation is further restricted bythe laying of one major surface atop the other, with the two being heldin planar parallel close proximity This arrangement restricts rotationto the plane parallel to the major surfaces. Rotation or tilting in aplane other than what is parallel to the major surface is restricted.Even though the forearm plate 22 is curved, the portion mated to thethumb plate 24 may be flat to permit rotation, although this may not berequired. Further, a spacing means known in the art (not shown) may beprovided to separate the forearm plate 22 from the thumb plate 22, suchas a washer, while maintaining the desired restricted movement.

The aperture 38 formed in the thumb plate 24 is slotted in thisembodiment. The slotted aperture 38 permits sliding of the thumb plate24 relative to the forearm plate 22 in a plane parallel to their majorsurfaces (76 and 78). This allows for adjustment of the distance betweenthe thumb strap 32 and the hinge 26, such that various players ofdiffering hand sizes may use the same size device. And further to allowsliding of the thumb plate 24 throughout the swing. The advantage of aslot is that the adjustment is automatic, such that the pin 40 willlocate itself along the length of the slotted aperture 38 as the player58 dons the training aid 20. The aperture 38 may also be a single roundhole or a series of holes within an adjustment area. In order to adjustthe thumb plate 24 within the series of holes, the pin 40 or its headmay be removable by a threaded means or the like, where the thumb plate24 may be relocated to an alternate hole. The length over which thethumb plate 24 may adjust is variable, but is preferably about one inch.

Looking particularly at FIG. 3, the training aid 20 is donned by theplayer 58. The forearm plate 22 is resting on the player's forearm withthe adjustable straps 28 and 30 snuggly wrapped about the arm to securethe position of the plate 22. The relatively long length of the forearmplate 22 along the arm insures a secure fit that will not easily shift.This provides a stable base on which the thumb plate 24 may attach. Twostraps 28 and 30 are used in this embodiment; however one or more strapsmay be used. Other appropriate forms of attachment to the forearm arealso contemplated, such as a custom fitted plate that is secured aroundthe forearm.

The forearm plate 22 extends towards the thumb 42; and the pin 40 islocated at or near the natural pivot 68 on the player's wrist aboutwhich extension and flexion occurs. The player 58 first slips the thumb42 into the elastic thumb strap 32. Then the forearm plate 22 is laid onthe forearm 44, and the straps 28 and 30 are tightened. As discussedabove, the rotation of the thumb plate 24 is restricted about thecylindrical axis of the pin 40. The positioning of the forearm plate 22is arranged such that the pivot 40 is substantially positioned at ornear the radial area 70 (region between the anterior and posterior ofthe forearm or the region between the palmar and dorsal of the hand).The thumb plate 24 is preferably positioned on top of the thumb dorsalarea 72 which places the pivot 40 substantially on the radial area 70 ofthe wrist.

Looking at FIG. 5, the natural pivot 68 of the hand 62 is the pivotabout which the hand 62 is permitted to rotate in extension and flexion,as naturally permitted by the wrist. Since the pivot 40 of the trainingaid 20 is substantially in axial alignment with the natural pivot 68 ofthe wrist (for extension and flexion movements), the pivot 40 freelypermits extension and flexion movements. However, because the pivot 40is not aligned with any other movement or pivoting of the wrist, ulnardeviation and radial deviation (shown in FIG. 4B) are substantiallyprohibited. The strapping of the thumb plate 24 on the thumb 42 tends tosubstantially restrict or reduce movement of the entire hand. Radialabduction of the thumb 42 is substantially prevented (shown in FIG. 4A)as well as radial and ulnar deviation. This restrictive feature isfurther enhanced when the user grips the handle 52 of the club 50, tofurther constrain the movement of the hand relative to the thumb.

FIGS. 6-8 show the training device 20 worn by a player swinging a club50. FIG. 6 shows the club 50 in a top of the backswing position, wherethe training device 20 has placed the hands in the proper position bylimiting their degree of freedom. The training aid 20 is preferably wornon the bottom hand (the hand closest to the club head) which is theright hand 54 in this illustration. The right hand 54 is shown inextension, with the thumb plate 24 pivoted relative to the forearm plate22 in a like manner. Since the left hand 56 is also gripping the handle52, the left hand 56 will be influenced by the proper positioning of theright hand 54 as induced by the training aid 20. The training aid 20ultimately controls the angle of the club relative to the forearm.Without the training aid 20, radial deviation would be witnessed by theclub 50 forming an acute angle with the forearm; and ulnar deviationwould be witnessed by the club 50 forming an obtuse angle with theforearm.

In FIG. 7, the player's club 50 is at the bottom of the swing at thepoint of contact with the ball (not shown). The bottom hand (in thisexample, the right hand 54) is shown in neither extension nor flexion,where the thumb is substantially aligned with the forearm. FIG. 8 showsthe club 50 after striking the ball, where the player 58 is followingthrough with the swing. The bottom hand is shown in flexion with thethumb plate 24 similarly pivoted. When comparing the progression of theswing in FIGS. 6-8, from the top of the backswing to the follow through,one can see that the training aid 20 encourages a powerful snappingmotion of the wrist, moving from extension to flexion. This “snap” tendsto provide a stronger swing and drive the ball farther. However, withmany beginners, this snap is hard to control without deviating intoundesirable motions. The present golf training aid 20 permits the playerto relax and let the hand naturally swing about the controlled hinge 40on the forearm plate 22. The player is automatically placed in a betterposition to let the club 50 drop along the swing plane. The training aid20 works best with the mid-irons, although it is contemplated that itmay be used with a variety of clubs.

The plates 22 and 24 may be molded from plastic or other material thatis structurally sufficient. The plates 22 and 24 should be sufficientlystiff or rigid to prevent undesirable flexing or breakage. This may beachieved by selecting a sufficient material thickness or molding inlocalized thickening. The curvature of the plates 22 and 24 may alsoprovide additional stiffness.

The present golf training aid 20 will make golfing more enjoyable to theaverage person due to the simplification of the swing. The potential tohit the ball farther and straighter is increased. Errors in the swingare also more easily detected, as much of the freedom in the wristmovement has been removed, such that other more easily addressed factorsmay be corrected in the swing.

1. A golf training aid donned by a player having a hand, a forearm and awrist, comprising: a first portion configured to be secured to theforearm; a second portion configured to be secured to the hand; and apivot connecting the first portion to the second portion such that thesecond portion pivots relative to the first portion; wherein when thegolf training aid is donned by the player the pivot is positionedsubstantially on the radial area of the wrist such that the hand issubstantially restricted to extension and flexion movement relative tothe forearm.
 2. The golf training aid of claim 1 wherein the firstportion is a first rigid plate and the second portion is a second rigidplate.
 3. The golf training aid of claim 2 wherein the second rigidplate is laid upon a thumb of the player and the first rigid plate islaid upon the forearm.
 4. The golf training aid of claim 2 wherein afirst major surface of the first rigid plate is laid on a second majorsurface of the second plate at the radial area, the pivot holding thefirst major surface in planar parallel proximity to the second majorsurface to prevent substantial rotation of the second rigid platerelative to the first rigid plate other than rotation about an axis ofthe pivot.
 5. The golf training aid of claim 1 wherein the pivot securesthe second portion to the first portion through a slotted aperture topermit sliding and rotation of the second portion relative to the firstportion.
 6. The golf training aid of claim 1 wherein the first portionis a first rigid plate laid upon the forearm and the second portion is asecond rigid plate laid upon the player's thumb, such that lifting ofthe thumb in radial abduction is substantially prevented.
 7. The golftraining aid of claim 6 wherein the second rigid plate is secured aboutthe thumb with an elastic strap.
 8. The golf training aid of claim 2wherein the second rigid plate is secured about the thumb with anelastic strap and the first rigid plate is secured about the forearmwith an adjustable strap.
 9. The golf training aid of claim 2 whereinthe second portion is configured to be secured to the thumb on thethumb's dorsal surface such that the pivot is positioned substantiallyon the radial area of the wrist.
 10. A method of golf swing training fora player having a forearm, a wrist with a radial area and a thumb, themethod comprising the steps of: providing a golf training aid with afirst plate configured to be secured to the forearm, a second plateconfigured to be secured to the thumb, and a pivot connecting the firstplate to the second plate; donning the golf training aid upon theforearm and the thumb of the player; and positioning the pivotsubstantially within the radial area of the wrist, thereby restrictingthe hand substantially to extension and flexion movement relative to theforearm.
 11. The method of golf training of claim 10 further comprisingthe step of gripping the handle of a club with the training aid donnedon a bottom hand positioned closest to a head of the club.